Deputy County Executive In Region Busted Driving Drunk, Police Say Deputy County Executive In Region Busted Driving Drunk, Police Say
Deputy County Executive In Region Busted Driving Drunk, Police Say A deputy county executive in the region is accused of driving drunk. Albany County Deputy Executive Michael McLaughlin was arrested on suspicion of DWI following a traffic stop in the town of Colonie on Wednesday, May 1. New York State Police said McLaughlin was stopped on I-87 at around 11:20 p.m. and refused to provide a sample to determine his blood alcohol content. He was charged with misdemeanor driving while intoxicated and was released to a sober third party. Following the incident, Albany County Executive Daniel McCoy issued a statement supporting McLaughlin. “Here in this countr…
Electric Scooters Now Available For Hudson Valley Shoppers Electric Scooters Now Available For Hudson Valley Shoppers
Electric Scooters Now Available For Hudson Valley Shoppers Shoppers in the Hudson Valley who hate walking the mall or need help getting around will soon be able to rent an electric scooter or "Scoozer."  Located in Rockland County at the Palisades Center in West Nyack, a four-story mall with 17 restaurants, a comedy club, and more, said the "Scoozer" program offers shoppers an innovative way to navigate the expansive center. Mall officials said Scoozer offers a fleet of two-seater electric scooters, enhancing accessibility and enabling guests to explore Palisades Center together. The scooters have two seats and cost $39 for a full shopping da…
Man Sexually Assaults Paramedic At VA Hospital In Region, Feds Say Man Sexually Assaults Paramedic At VA Hospital In Region, Feds Say
Man Sexually Assaults Paramedic At VA Hospital In Region, Feds Say A man from the region is facing federal charges after allegedly sexually assaulting a paramedic at a Veterans Affairs hospital. Rensselaer County resident Robert Seifert, age 65, of Troy, was arraigned in Albany federal court on Tuesday, April 9. Prosecutors said Seifert grabbed the paramedic’s breast and groin at the Albany Stratton Veterans Affairs Medical Center.  It was not immediately clear when the alleged assault occurred. If convicted, he could spend up to two years in federal prison and a fine of up to $250,000.
19-Year-Old Admits Smuggling Migrants Through Hudson Valley, Threatening Them 19-Year-Old Admits Smuggling Migrants Through Hudson Valley, Threatening Them
19-Year-Old Admits Smuggling Migrants Through Hudson Valley, Threatening Them A 19-year-old man faces years in prison after he was caught trafficking migrants in Northern Westchester, federal officials said. Mario Elpidio Chavez Millan of Albuquerque, New Mexico, pleaded guilty to charges connected to his smuggling of people who illegally entered the United States as well as his participation in a kidnapping scheme, the US Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York announced on Tuesday, May 7.  According to federal officials, on July 10, 2023, New York State Police in Cortlandt received a report from a person who said their relative had entered…
New York Among Top 25 Best States, Brand-New Ranking Says: Here's Why New York Among Top 25 Best States, Brand-New Ranking Says: Here's Why
New York Among Top 25 Best States, Brand-New Ranking Says: Here's Why New York continues to rank among the top 25 best states in the country. The Empire State came in at No. 23 – down slightly from No. 20 last year – on the 2024 Best States list by U.S. News & World Report, released Tuesday, May 7. Rankings were determined using 71 metrics across eight categories, including fiscal stability, infrastructure, education, health care, and the economy. Data was pulled from national surveys taken by nearly 70,000 people. New York made the top 10 for natural environment and health care, coming in at No. 5 and No. 8, respectively, while placing No. 12 in educat…
Hudson Valley Man Admits Driving High, Causing Crash That Paralyzed Teen Hudson Valley Man Admits Driving High, Causing Crash That Paralyzed Teen
Hudson Valley Man Admits Driving High, Causing Crash That Paralyzed Teen A Hudson Valley man is facing three to nine years in prison after pleading guilty to driving high on pot and causing a crash that paralyzed a teen. Orange County resident Chauncey Smith, age 22, of Pine Bush, admitted his guilt on Monday, May 6, for causing the Monday, Aug. 14, 2023 crash, said Orange County District Attorney David M. Hoovler. As alleged in documents filed and statements made in court, on Aug. 14, 2023, Smith was driving westbound on Route 17K in Newburgh when his car crossed the double yellow line and collided head-on with another vehicle. As a result of the crash, a 15-y…
COVID-19: New 'FLiRT' Variants Now Most Dominant In US COVID-19: New 'FLiRT' Variants Now Most Dominant In US
Covid-19: New 'FLiRT' Variants Now Most Dominant In US New so-called "FLiRT" COVID-19 variants have quickly become the most dominant in the United States, and authorities are monitoring their rise as summer approaches. According to the latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one of the two members of the  “FLiRT” group, KP.2, is now No. 1 among strains nationally, accounting for about 24.9 of all current infections. The JN.1 strain had been dominant in the US before the emergence of KP.2. Both variants are offshoots of the highly contagious Omicron strain. The No. 4 variant in the US, KP.1.1, which makes up …
HS Sweethearts Killed In Out-Of-State Crash; Fundraiser Seeks To Transport Remains Back To NY HS Sweethearts Killed In Out-Of-State Crash; Fundraiser Seeks To Transport Remains Back To NY
HS Sweethearts Killed In Out-Of-State Crash; Fundraiser Seeks To Transport Remains Back To NY Sam Cullen and Suzie Kedar were planning on spending the rest of their lives together when tragedy struck. The Long Island natives and Farmingdale High School sweethearts were killed in a car crash in Washington State on Thursday, May 2. Details about the wreck were not immediately available. Their deaths came just two days after the 28-year-old Cullen, a Petty Officer in the US Navy stationed outside of Seattle on Whidbey Island, picked up an engagement ring that he planned on giving to Kedar, according to relatives. “They had plans on Friday morning to look at houses together with a real…
Wild Fox In Region Tests Positive For Rabies Wild Fox In Region Tests Positive For Rabies
Wild Fox In Region Tests Positive For Rabies A health department in the region has confirmed that a fox has tested positive for the rabies virus. The fox, which was euthanized, was found in Sullivan County in the town of Bethel, said officials with the Sullivan County Department of Public Health. The department said people exposed to the fox are currently receiving treatment. Rabies occurs commonly throughout the state, mostly occurring in wild animals, including raccoons, bats, foxes, skunks, and woodchucks. Domestic animals, often including cats, cattle, and dogs, account for less than 10 percent of the reported rabies cases. …
New Update: UAlbany Freshman Severely Injured In Hit-Run Awake After Week In Coma New Update: UAlbany Freshman Severely Injured In Hit-Run Awake After Week In Coma
New Update: UAlbany Freshman Severely Injured In Hit-Run Awake After Week In Coma Relatives of a University at Albany student from Long Island who was severely injured in a hit-and-run crash are celebrating a major milestone in her long recovery. Alexa Kropf, age 18, of Floral Park, is no longer in a medically induced coma and is breathing on her own, her family announced in an update on GoFundMe Monday, May 6. “We are deeply grateful for all your prayers. Prayer has incredible power!” said campaign organizer Christine M. Earlier Report: Hit-Run Leaves UAlbany's Alexa Kropf Severely Injured Kropf remains in critical condition at Albany Medical Center Hospital mo…
COVID-19: NY Duo Steals $8M From Company Seeking Surgical Masks, Feds Say COVID-19: NY Duo Steals $8M From Company Seeking Surgical Masks, Feds Say
Covid-19: NY Duo Steals $8M From Company Seeking Surgical Masks, Feds Say Two New York residents are accused of conning a medical supply company out of millions of dollars in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. Long Island resident Jonathan Cannon, age 58, of Miller Place, and Erie County resident Julie Dotton, age 51, of Orchard Park, are both charged with wire fraud in a complaint unsealed in Central Islip federal court on Thursday, May 2. According to prosecutors, a Canadian company serving as an official provider of personal protective equipment paid Cannon and Dotton $8.2 million for surgical masks needed due to the pandemic. In exchange, Dotton agreed…
New Update: I-95 Stretch Fully Reopens After Fiery Crash Causes Days-Long Closure New Update: I-95 Stretch Fully Reopens After Fiery Crash Causes Days-Long Closure
New Update: I-95 Stretch Fully Reopens After Fiery Crash Causes Days-Long Closure This story has been updated. A stretch of I-95 in Connecticut has now fully reopened three days after a fire involving a tanker with 8,500 gallons of gas days earlier. Northbound lanes on the stretch in Norwalk reopened Saturday evening, May 4. Lanes opened on the southbound side reopened late Sunday morning, May 5, earlier than had been expected. The first image above was taken around 11 a.m. Sunday. The blaze broke out after a crash on Thursday, May 2 near exits 14 and 15 between the truck and a passenger vehicle at around 6 a.m.  The tanker fire was raging for…